UPDATE July 17, 2012:Automotive News has also published a report supporting the claim that BMW plans to launch a 1 Series [2 Series] sedan. They claim that BMW will bring the RWD small sedan in 2015 to rival the future Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA sedans, both expected as early as next year.

According to them, company sources say the growing dimensions of the 3-series sedan led to the decision to build this sedan.
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Original Report - May 24, 2012:

We previously reported on a possible four-door 2 series sedan / gran coupe. Autocar has now joined the rumormill on such a potential 4 door model.

The report claims that BMW has plans for or is discussing a RWD sedan based off the current 1 Series (F20) platform that will target the US and China markets in particular. Autocar calls it a 1 Series, but in all likelihood it would be called a 2 Series if it comes in Gran Coupe form. If you remember, only the hatchbacks and upcoming FWD models are likely to retain their 1 series badging [see likely future 1/2 series model map].

As the 3 Series has grown over the years, BMW may need such a model to take on the likes of the upcoming Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes CLA sedan. Since its introduction in 1975, the 3 Series has expanded by 10.5in (269mm) in length, 8.2in (210mm) in width, and 1.9in (49mm) in height. The 3 Series is still king in its segment and remains BMW's top selling model by far, but the company may not want to concede a potentially successful new small sedan segment to Audi and Mercedes.

Which form a 2 Series four-door actually takes is guesswork at this point. Autocar speculates that it will be a traditional sedan while Scott26 claims that it will not be a traditional sedan, so as to protect the 3 Series sales. Instead, he has claimed that a 2 Series Gran Coupe Compact is currently in the early stages of discussion. Like the rumored sedan, it would have four doors, but feature a lower and sleeker coupe-like roofline (in the vein of the 6 Series Gran Coupe).

As for timing, if such a model came to fruition, it would still be years off. We still have yet to even spied the 2-Series coupe (F22) or convertible (F23) models in testing.

This is great news. The F30 is simply too big of a car for what my girlfriend is comfortable driving. She loves her E46 and wants something no bigger than that to replace it. I'm glad that Scott messaged that BMW was thinking about changing its position on bringing a 2-series Gran Coupe (F26?) to market.

BMW just keep it simple. Don't do a Gran Coupe a traditional sedan is all that is needed. Like the current 1er I think this will be more of an enthusiast's car rather than the entry point into the brand, so give it a good hydraulic steering system and have an I6 option. If you do that then I will buy the car.

I would be first in line at the dealership if this hits the market. I'm a sedan guy and this would be right up my alley. A smaller sedan with a n55 engine would be amazing. This car would rob the 3 series sales in a heart beat. I hope it becomes reality.

if they actually came out with this, wouldnt it mess up the 1,2,3,4 series numbers?

2.5 series? stupid idea to have called it a 2 series and 4 series

"Gran Coupe" is the convention that BMW came up with to deal with the sedans that are derived from their coupes. Odd numbered cars will have 4 doors, even numbered cars will have 2 doors, and even numbered cars with a "Gran Coupe" at the end of their name will also have 4 doors.

It makes sense in a parallel universe if you think like a product manager

What's the purpose for creating such a model? How much of the market sector will be interested in this?

Don't care. I am. Didn't like the way the E90/E92 drove, it felt too big. The E82 was better, so we bought one. Now we want a four door or wagon, and the F30/F31 is even larger and less driver oriented than the E9x cars, so we've mostly ruled it out. An F2x car would be just about perfect (assuming they don't use the F20 headlights).

"Gran Coupe" is the convention that BMW came up with to deal with the sedans that are derived from their coupes. Odd numbered cars will have 4 doors, even numbered cars will have 2 doors, and even numbered cars with a "Gran Coupe" at the end of their name will also have 4 doors.

It makes sense in a parallel universe if you think like a product manager